The forthcoming Jaguar F-PACE is aiming to redefine handling standards in the crossover class, utilising technology developed from Jaguar’s sports car range. Despite being Jaguar’s first ever crossover, the manufacturer claims the F-PACE will be “the most rewarding driver’s car of its kind”.
“We’ve tested ride and handling to extremities in all environments and in all conditions, and the result is that the new F-PACE is as engaging and rewarding to drive as it is going to be enjoyable to own” said Chief Engineer Mike Cross.
The F-PACE will feature a four-wheel drive system adapted from the Jaguar F-TYPE sports car, with the ability to send torque to individual wheels to improve agility, using a system known as Torque Vectoring.
The majority of F-PACE customers will likely opt for the expected 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel or petrol engines recently debuted in the Jaguar XE, XF and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Meanwhile, the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine seen in the F-TYPE is also likely to be fitted in high-performance F-PACE models.
Jaguar’s first crossover will need to beat models like the Porsche Macan and BMW X4 to succeed, as well as appealing to different customers than Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque. But, if it’s a success, the F-PACE could rapidly become Jaguar’s best-selling model, following a trend which sees Porsche selling far more Macan and Cayenne SUVs than sports cars.
The F-PACE will be officially unveiled to the public and press at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. It will be manufactured at the Solihull plant in the UK and will go on sale from 2016. But, cycling fans may already have caught a glimpse of a prototype F-PACE supporting Team Sky in the Tour de France.